Hierarchy tree movement using multiple display areas

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for display of hierarchy tree movement using multiple display areas are presented. In an example method, nodes in one or more levels of a first hierarchy tree are displayed in a first area on a display. User input is received of a selected node of the nodes in the one or more levels of the first hierarchy tree to display a level below the one or more levels of the first hierarchy tree. In response to receiving the user input, a parent node of the selected node is displayed in a second area on the display. Nodes in a level of the one or more levels of the first hierarchy tree above the level that includes the selected node are removed from the first area, and nodes in the level below the one or more levels of the first hierarchy tree are displayed in the first area.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/492,900, titled “HIERARCHY TREE MOVEMENT USING MULTI-TREE ANIMATION,”filed Jun. 26, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,266,548 which is herebyincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

COPYRIGHT

A portion of the disclosure of this document contains material that issubject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection tothe facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or thepatent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Officepatent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rightswhatsoever. The following notice applies to the software, data, and/orscreenshots which may be described below and in the drawings that form apart of this document: Copyright 2009, SAP AG. All Rights Reserved.

BACKGROUND

Viewing of hierarchy trees on a display can become problematic as thenumber of levels being viewed increases. This can be more problematic ifthe levels of the hierarchy tree being viewed increases in a limitedviewing area. Specifically, if a viewer desires to view many levels ofthe hierarchy tree, some of the levels may not be viewable. This canconfuse the viewer's understanding of the nodes at the different levelsof the hierarchy tree relative to other nodes at other levels in thetree.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention may be best understood by referring to thefollowing description and accompanying drawings which illustrate suchembodiments. The numbering scheme for the Figures included herein aresuch that the leading number for a given reference number in a Figure isassociated with the number of the Figure. For example, a system 100 canbe located in FIG. 1. However, reference numbers are the same for thoseelements that are the same across different Figures. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a system for displaying levels of a hierarchy tree acrossmultiple hierarchy trees that includes animated movement, according tosome example embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a method to show movement in a hierarchy treeusing multi-tree animation as lower levels of the hierarchy tree areshown (moving down the hierarchy tree), according to some exampleembodiments.

FIG. 3 is a graphical user interface showing a first hierarchy tree,according to some example embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a graphical user interface showing movement within the firsthierarchy tree using multi-tree animation, according to some exampleembodiments.

FIG. 5 is a graphical user interface showing the first and secondhierarchy trees after using multi-tree animation, according to someexample embodiments.

FIGS. 6-7 show graphical user interfaces over time of movement in ahierarchy tree using multi-tree animation as lower levels of thehierarchy tree are shown (moving down the hierarchy tree), according tosome example embodiments.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of a method to show movement in a hierarchy treeusing multi-tree animation as lower levels of the hierarchy tree areclosed (moving up the hierarchy tree), according to some exampleembodiments.

FIG. 9 shows graphical user interfaces over time of movement in ahierarchy tree using multi-tree animation as lower levels of thehierarchy tree are closed (moving up the hierarchy tree), according tosome example embodiments.

FIG. 10 is a screen shot of a graphical user interface of a hierarchytree having N number of levels, according to some example embodiments.

FIG. 11 is a screen shot of a graphical user interface of a hierarchytree having N number of levels after receiving input of selected node,according to some example embodiments.

FIG. 12 is a screen shot of a graphical user interface of a hierarchytree having levels being displayed across two different hierarchy trees,according to some example embodiments.

FIG. 13 is a screen shot of a graphical user interface of a hierarchytree having levels being displayed across two different hierarchy treeswith remaining levels of the first hierarchy tree animatingly moved totheir new positions, according to some example embodiments.

FIG. 14 is a screen shot of a graphical user interface of a hierarchytree having levels being displayed across two different hierarchy trees(after a selected node is selected from the second hierarchy tree),according to some example embodiments.

FIG. 15 is a screen shot of a graphical user interface of a hierarchytree having N number of levels (after a selected node is selected fromthe second hierarchy tree), according to some example embodiments.

FIG. 16 is a graphical user interface of an application that provideslimited display area for a hierarchy tree, according to some exampleembodiments.

FIG. 17 is a computer device that executes software for performingoperations related to performing movement in a hierarchy tree usingmulti-tree animation, according to some example embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Methods, apparatus and systems for animatingly displaying of changes inviewing of multiple levels of a hierarchy tree across viewable multiplehierarchy trees are described. In the following description, numerousspecific details are set forth. However, it is understood thatembodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specificdetails. In other instances, well-known circuits, structures andtechniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure theunderstanding of this description.

The term “hierarchy tree” and “tree” are used interchangeable herein andincludes nodes that can represent any type of data that is displayed ina graphical form. Moreover, the tree as used herein can include anynumber of levels with any number of nodes within such levels. Whiledescribed relative to a tree having a root node at the top with nodesbelow at lower levels, some example embodiments can be used relative toother types of data that include the display of nodes at differentlevels.

Some example embodiments enable the display of multiple levels of ahierarchy tree across multiple hierarchy trees on one or more displays,wherein animation is used to show changes/movement in levels displayedacross the multiple trees. Some example embodiments can be useful in alimited viewing area of a display (e.g., a navigation window beside adocument viewing window on the display). Accordingly, the use of ahorizontal scroll bar can be avoided for navigation between nodes on thetree. In particular, only N (e.g., 1, 2, 3, etc.) number of levels aredisplayed on a given tree (first tree). If a viewer desires to see morelevels, some example embodiments animatingly display movement of one ormore levels from the first to a second tree. Moreover, the remainingtree nodes are animatingly moved to their new position in the firsttree. At least simultaneously in part, the level being moved from thefirst tree to the second tree can be faded out of the first tree andfaded into the second tree. Also, the second tree animatingly becomesvisible as the new level is added. Accordingly, this animation assiststhe viewer to understand the fairly complex action. In particular, thefading and movement allow the viewer to visually understand the changesthat are occurring to the hierarchy tree on the display. Suchunderstanding can be even more important because changes to thehierarchy tree may be occurring in multiple areas. For example, parts ofone hierarchy tree can be deleted while parts of the same or differenthierarchy tree can be modified or added thereto. Thus, some exampleembodiments can enable better navigation among the nodes of thehierarchy trees and can enable a better user interface for the viewer.

As used herein, the terms “animation”, “animated movement”, “animatinglymove”, etc. are representative of any type of motion, for example, theanimation can comprise a display of still images (e.g., two-dimensionalor three-dimensional images) over time so that objects appear to move.Accordingly, the objects in the display appear to sequentially move overtime as the still images are displayed. In examples herein, animationcan comprise fading in and fading out of objects (e.g., a hierarchytree, nodes of a hierarchy tree, line separators between hierarchytrees, etc.). In other examples, animation can comprise movement ofobjects (e.g., nodes of a hierarchy tree, etc.). In some exampleembodiments, one or both of the velocity and the acceleration of themovement/fading is variable. In some example embodiments, the velocityor the acceleration can vary based on the complexity of the hierarchytrees and/or the data therein. For example, the velocity or theacceleration can decrease as the number of nodes in the hierarchy treesincreases. Alternatively or in addition, the velocity or theacceleration can decrease as the amount of data in the nodes increases.For example, the amount of data can be the number of characters acrossall nodes, the node having the largest number of characters, etc. Thevelocity and the acceleration can be configured such that the viewer canunderstand the changes, while precluding the data on the display fromflickering. In some example embodiments, one or both the velocity andthe acceleration of the movement/fading are configurable by the viewer.In some example embodiments, the display comprises a number of displayzones, wherein the first hierarchy tree is displayed in the firstdisplay zone and the second hierarchy tree is displayed in the seconddisplay zone. These display zones can be marked by a line between thetwo zones (as further described below).

Example embodiments described hierarchy tree movement using twohierarchy trees on a display. However, embodiments are not so limited.In particular, two or more hierarchy trees can be used. Further, thedifferent hierarchy trees can be displayed on one or more displays.

FIG. 1 is a system for displaying levels of a hierarchy tree acrossmultiple hierarchy trees that includes animated movement, according tosome example embodiments. A system 100 comprises a tree module 102, amachine-readable medium 106, a display controller 108 and a display 110.In some embodiments, the system 100 is representative of a computer,wherein a communication bus 112 couples together the tree module 102,the machine-readable medium 106 and the display controller 108.Alternatively or in addition, components of the system 100 aredistributed over a number of computers that are coupled together througha network. For example, the tree module 102, the machine-readable medium106, the display controller 108 and the display 110 are shown as beingin a same computer system 100, embodiments are not so limited. The treemodule 102, the machine-readable medium 106, the display controller 108and the display 110 may be on separate systems.

In some example embodiments, the machine-readable medium 106 includestangible volatile and/or non-volatile media (e.g., read only memory(ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media, opticalstorage media, flash memory devices, etc.). The machine-readable medium106 stores files that include one or more hierarchy trees as describedherein.

In some example embodiments, the tree module 102 and the displaycontroller 108 are applications or parts of an application used todisplay multiple hierarchy trees. The tree module 102 and the displaycontroller 108 can be software, hardware, firmware or a combinationthereof for executing the various operations described herein, accordingto some example embodiments.

Operations, according to some example embodiments, are now described. Incertain embodiments, the operations are performed when instructionsresiding on machine-readable media (e.g., software) are executed, whilein other embodiments, the methods are performed by hardware or otherlogic (e.g., digital logic).

FIGS. 2 and 8 are diagrams of different methods for displaying levels ofa hierarchy tree across multiple hierarchy trees that includes animatedmovement, according to some example embodiments. Specifically, FIG. 2 isa diagram of a method to show movement in a hierarchy tree usingmulti-tree animation as lower levels of the hierarchy tree are shown(moving down the hierarchy tree). Alternatively, FIG. 8 is a diagram ofa method to show movement in a hierarchy tree using multi-tree animationas lower levels of the hierarchy tree are closed (moving up thehierarchy tree). FIGS. 2 and 8 are described with reference to differentgraphical user interfaces and screen shots of graphical user interfaces(illustrated in FIGS. 3-7 and 9-20). In particular, FIGS. 3-5 aredifferent graphical user interfaces showing the animated movement acrossmultiple hierarchy trees, according to some example embodiments. FIGS.6-7 show graphical user interfaces over time of movement in a hierarchytree using multi-tree animation as lower levels of the hierarchy treeare shown (moving down the hierarchy tree), according to some exampleembodiments. FIG. 9 shows graphical user interfaces over time ofmovement in a hierarchy tree using multi-tree animation as lower levelsof the hierarchy tree are closed (moving up the hierarchy tree),according to some example embodiments. FIGS. 10-20 are screen shots ofgraphical user interfaces for displaying levels of a hierarchy treeacross multiple hierarchy trees that includes animated movement,according to some example embodiments. Accordingly, the descriptions ofFIGS. 3-7 and 9-20 are incorporated into the description of the diagramsof FIGS. 2 and 8.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a method to show movement in a hierarchy treeusing multi-tree animation as lower levels of the hierarchy tree areshown (moving down the hierarchy tree), according to some exampleembodiments. A method 200 is described with reference to FIG. 1. In someexample embodiments, the method 200 is performed by the tree module 102.The method 200 commences at block 202.

At block 202, the tree module 102 displays nodes in N number of levelsof a first hierarchy tree on the display 110. In some exampleembodiments, N equals 1, 2, 3, etc. Some example embodiments haveapplication where the viewing area for the hierarchy tree is limited. Inparticular, some example embodiments enable viewing of more levels of ahierarchy tree in a limited viewing area. To illustrate, FIG. 3 is agraphical user interface showing a first hierarchy tree, according tosome example embodiments. A hierarchy tree 300 includes two levels. Afirst level includes nodes 302-312. A second level that is below node308 includes nodes 314-318.

To further illustrate, FIG. 10 is a screen shot of a graphical userinterface of a hierarchy tree having N number of levels, according tosome example embodiments. A screen shot 1000 shows the first hierarchytree with N number of levels (N equaling two in this example). The firsthierarchy tree includes a first level 1002 and a second level 1004. Asecond level 1004 is below a node 1006 in the first level 1002.Returning to FIG. 2, the method 200 continues at block 204.

At block 204, the tree module 102 receives input selection of a node inthe first hierarchy tree to open a level below the N number of levels ofthe first hierarchy tree. Accordingly, the selected node is a parentnode of the nodes in the N number of levels in the first hierarchy tree.For example, the tree module 102 can receive the input selection of thenode from a user that can be viewing the hierarchy tree. The user caninput using a number of different input devices (keyboard, mouse, etc.).An example computer illustrating possible input devices is described inmore detail below. Alternatively or in addition, the input selection canbe received from various computer components (e.g., software, hardware,firmware, etc.). With reference to FIG. 3, the node 318 of the firsthierarchy tree 300 is selected. To further illustrate, FIG. 11 is ascreen shot of a graphical user interface of a hierarchy tree having Nnumber of levels after receiving input of selected node, according tosome example embodiments. A screen shot 1100 shows the first hierarchytree with N number of levels (N equaling two in this example). The firsthierarchy tree includes a first level 1102 and a second level 1104. Asecond level 1104 is below a node 1106 in the first level 1102. A node1108 in the second level 1104 is the selected node. Returning to FIG. 2,the method 200 continues at block 206.

At block 206, the tree module 102 animatingly fades out nodes in thelevel above the level that includes the selected node from the firsthierarchy tree on the display 110. To illustrate, FIG. 4 is a graphicaluser interface showing movement within the first hierarchy tree usingmulti-tree animation, according to some example embodiments. Inparticular, FIG. 4 illustrates animated movement of nodes after theinput selection of a node within the hierarchy tree 300 of FIG. 3. FIG.4 includes a first hierarchy tree 400 (corresponding to the firsthierarchy tree 300 of FIG. 3) in a first display zone of the display.FIG. 4 also includes a second hierarchy tree 450 in a second displayzone of the display (described in more detail below). The firsthierarchy tree 400 includes two levels. A first level includes nodes402-412 (corresponding to the nodes 302-312 of FIG. 3). A second levelthat is below the node 408 includes nodes 414-418 (corresponding tonodes 314-318 of FIG. 3). As noted above, the input selection for thisexample is the node 318 of FIG. 3 (corresponding to the node 418 of FIG.4). Accordingly as part of the animation movement to allow a viewer tomore easily track the relationship among the different nodes at thedifferent levels of the first hierarchy tree, the nodes to be moved fromthe first hierarchy tree 400 to the second hierarchy tree 450 are fadedout from the first hierarchy tree 400. With reference to FIG. 4, thenodes 402-412 are shown as fading out (relative to other parts of thehierarchy tree 400).

To illustrate, FIG. 6 shows graphical user interfaces over time ofmovement in a hierarchy tree using multi-tree animation as lower levelsof the hierarchy tree are shown (moving down the hierarchy tree),according to some example embodiments. FIG. 6 includes a first graphicaluser interface 600 at a first time prior to the selecting of a node.FIG. 6 includes a second graphical user interface 650 at a second timeafter the selecting of the node (as shown by the arrow between the firstgraphical user interface 600 and the second graphical user interface650). Both the first graphical user interface 600 and the secondgraphical user interface 650 show the first hierarchy tree at the twodifferent points in time. The first hierarchy tree includes two levels.A first level includes nodes 602-612 (corresponding to the nodes 302-312of FIG. 3). A second level that is below the node 608 includes nodes614-618 (corresponding to nodes 314-318 of FIG. 3). As shown in thesecond graphical user interface 650, the nodes 602-612 are fading outand the nodes 614-618 are moving downward. To further illustrate in FIG.11, the selected node is the node 1108. The level above the node 1108(the first level 1102) are fading out. Returning to FIG. 2, the method200 continues at block 208.

At block 208, the tree module 102 determines whether a second hierarchytree is on the display 110. In particular, if the number of levelsattempted to be previously viewed of the hierarchy tree is greater thanN, a second hierarchy tree has already been formed on the display 110.In other words, once the number of levels of the hierarchy treeattempted to be viewed is greater than N, the tree module 102 forms asecond hierarchy tree. If a second hierarchy tree is already formed onthe display, the method 200 continues at block 214 (described below).Otherwise, the method 200 continues at block 210.

At block 210, the tree module 102 animatingly forms a second hierarchytree on the display 110. The first hierarchy tree can be repositioned toprovide a position on the display 110. Initially, the second hierarchytree can be unfilled. With reference to FIG. 4, the tree module 102animatingly moves the first hierarchy tree 400 downward and forms thesecond hierarchy tree 450 above. Alternatively, the tree module 102 cananimatingly form the second hierarchy tree above, to the left or rightof the first hierarchy tree.

To further illustrate, FIG. 7 shows graphical user interfaces over timeof movement in a hierarchy tree using multi-tree animation as lowerlevels of the hierarchy tree are shown (moving down the hierarchy tree),according to some example embodiments. In particular, FIG. 7 shows thecontinuation of movement of the graphical user interfaces from FIG. 6.FIG. 7 includes a first graphical user interface 700 at a first timeafter the forming of a second hierarchy tree and the placing of a nodetherein. FIG. 7 also includes a second graphical user interface 750 at asecond time after completing of movement after selecting of the node.Both the first graphical user interface 700 and the second graphicaluser interface 750 show the first and the second hierarchy trees at thetwo different points in time. The first hierarchy tree includes twolevels. A first level includes nodes 714-718 (corresponding to the nodes514-518 of FIG. 5). A second level that is below the node 718 includesnodes 720-722 (corresponding to nodes 520-522 of FIG. 5). The secondhierarchy tree includes a node 752 (corresponding to the node 552 ofFIG. 5). As shown from the second graphical user interface 650 of FIG. 6to the first graphical user interface 700 of FIG. 7, a second hierarchytree is formed. Also as shown from the first graphical user interface700 to the second graphical user interface 750, the nodes 720-722 areformed at a level below the node 718 while the nodes at the twodifferent levels of the first hierarchy tree are animatingly movedupward to the top of the first hierarchy tree. While examples show thesecond hierarchy tree as a sub part of the first hierarchy tree,embodiments are not so limited. In some example embodiments, the secondhierarchy tree can comprise any number of levels that include any numberof nodes therein. In particular, the second hierarchy tree can be a fulltree and is not limited to a sub part of the first hierarchy tree. Forexample, in some example embodiments, only the parent node of theselected node is moved to the second hierarchy tree. In other exampleembodiments, all nodes at the level of the parent node are moved to thesecond hierarchy tree. Further, any number of levels can be moved fromthe first hierarchy tree to the second hierarchy tree. For example, thenode 720 (“message store archiving”) can be selected, thereby causing anode at another level (the node 718) to move to the second hierarchytree. Returning to FIG. 2, the method 200 continues at block 208.

To further illustrate, FIG. 12 is a screen shot of a graphical userinterface of a hierarchy tree having levels being displayed across twodifferent hierarchy trees, according to some example embodiments. Ascreen shot 1200 shows the first hierarchy tree with N number of levels(N equaling two in this example). The first hierarchy tree includes afirst level 1204 and a second level 1210. The first level 1204 includesthe selected node (a node 1208). A second hierarchy tree is created in asection 1214 in the screen shot 1200. The second hierarchy tree includesa node 1212. The node 1212 is the parent node of selected node 1208.Returning to FIG. 2, the method 200 continues at block 212.

At block 212, the tree module 102 animatingly moves nodes in the numberof levels in the second hierarchy tree up one level in the display. Withreference to FIG. 4, if the second hierarchy tree 450 already included anode at upper levels relative to the node being faded into the secondhierarchy tree 450, the tree module 102 moves the node up in itsrelative position in the second hierarchy tree 450. The method 200continues at block 214.

At block 214, the tree module 102 animatingly fades in a parent node ofthe selected node (see block 204 above) into the second hierarchy treeon the display 110. With reference to FIG. 4, the tree module 102 fadesin the node 452 into the second hierarchy tree 450. In particular, thenode 452 is shown as fading in (relative to the other parts of FIG. 4).The node 452 is the node 408 that is being faded out of the firsthierarchy tree 400 (as described above). With reference to FIG. 7, thenode 752 is faded into the second hierarchy tree. While described suchthat only the parent node of the selected node is faded into the secondhierarchy tree, in other embodiments, some or all of the other nodesfaded out from the first hierarchy tree can be faded into the secondhierarchy tree. For example, all of the nodes in that same level of theparent node could be faded into the second hierarchy tree. Withreference to FIG. 12, the parent node of the selected node (the node1208) is the node 1212 (shown being faded into the second hierarchytree). Returning to FIG. 2, the method 200 continues at block 216.

At block 216, the tree module 102 animatingly moves nodes in theremaining levels of the first hierarchy tree up one level on the display(so that a total of N number of levels are displayed in the firsthierarchy tree). As described above, limiting the number of levels beingviewed in the first hierarchy tree enables a viewer to view thehierarchy tree on the display without using a scroll bar. Also, thesecond hierarchy tree enables the viewer to view other levels of thefirst hierarchy tree to provide context of the levels in the firsthierarchy tree. To illustrate, FIG. 5 is a graphical user interfaceshowing the first and second hierarchy trees after using multi-treeanimation, according to some example embodiments. In particular, FIG. 5illustrates the first hierarchy tree 400 and the second hierarchy tree450 of FIG. 4 have animatingly moved. FIG. 5 includes a first hierarchytree 500 in a first display zone and a second hierarchy tree 552 in asecond display zone (corresponding to the first hierarchy tree 400 andthe second hierarchy tree 450, respectively). The first hierarchy tree500 includes N number of levels. In this example, N equals two. A firstlevel of the first hierarchy tree 500 includes nodes 514-518(corresponding to the nodes 414-418 of FIG. 4). A second level that isbelow the node 518 includes nodes 520-522. The second hierarchy tree 550includes a node 552 (corresponding to the node 452 of FIG. 4). As shownby the change in positions from FIG. 4 to FIG. 5, the nodes remaining(the nodes 514-518) in the first hierarchy tree 500 are moved up onelevel on the display 110. With reference to FIG. 7, the nodes 714-718are moved up one level in the first hierarchy tree on the display (asdescribed above).

To further illustrate, FIG. 13 is a screen shot of a graphical userinterface of a hierarchy tree having levels being displayed across twodifferent hierarchy trees with remaining levels of the first hierarchytree animatingly moved to their new positions, according to some exampleembodiments. A screen shot 1300 shows the first hierarchy tree with Nnumber of levels (N equaling two in this example). The first hierarchytree includes a first level 1304 and a second level 1310. The firstlevel 1304 includes the selected node (a node 1308). A second hierarchytree is created in a section 1314 in the screen shot 1300. The secondhierarchy tree includes a node 1312. The node 1312 is the parent node ofselected node 1308. As shown, the nodes in the first level 1304 and thesecond level 1310 are moved up the first hierarchy tree (compare nodeposition relative to the node position in the screen shot 1200 of FIG.12). Returning to FIG. 2, the method 200 continues at block 218.

At block 218, the tree module 102 animatingly fades in nodes at thelevel below the selected node into the first hierarchy tree on thedisplay. With reference to FIG. 5, the tree module 102 fades in thenodes 520-522 below the selected node 518. With reference to FIG. 7, thenodes 720-722 are animatingly faded in below the selected node (the node718) in the first hierarchy tree on the display (as described above).With reference to FIG. 12, the nodes in the second level 1310 are fadedin below the selected node (the node 1398). Returning to FIG. 2, themethod 200 is complete.

The operations of moving up the hierarchy tree are now described. Inparticular, FIG. 8 is a diagram of a method to show movement in ahierarchy tree using multi-tree animation as lower levels of thehierarchy tree are closed (moving up the hierarchy tree), according tosome example embodiments. A method 800 is described with reference toFIG. 1. In some example embodiments, the method 800 is performed by thetree module 102. The method 800 commences at block 802.

At block 802, the tree module 102 displays nodes in levels of a firsthierarchy tree across the first hierarchy tree and a second hierarchytree on the display 110. In some example embodiments, only N number oflevels are displayed in the first hierarchy tree. One or more higherlevels relative to the N number of levels are displayed in the secondhierarchy tree. In some example embodiments, N equals 1, 2, 3, etc. incontrast to beginning with only displaying levels in first hierarchytree (like in the operations of the method 200), the method 800 beginswith displaying levels in the first hierarchy tree and the secondhierarchy tree. Returning to FIG. 5 to illustrate, the first hierarchytree 500 includes N number of levels, and the second hierarchy tree 552includes one level above the N number of levels (as described above).With reference to the different screen shots in FIGS. 10-20, FIG. 13includes the screen shot 1300 having the first and second hierarchytrees (as described above). The method 800 continues at block 804.

At block 804, the tree module 102 receives input selection of a node inthe second hierarchy tree. For example, the tree module 102 can receivethe input selection of the node from a user that can be viewing thehierarchy trees. The user can input using a number of different inputdevices (keyboard, mouse, etc.). An example computer illustratingpossible input devices is described in more detail below. Alternativelyor in addition, the input selection can be received from variouscomputer components (e.g., software, hardware, firmware, etc.). Withreference to FIG. 5, the node 552 of the second hierarchy tree 550 isselected.

To further illustrate, FIG. 9 shows graphical user interfaces over timeof movement in a hierarchy tree using multi-tree animation as lowerlevels of the hierarchy tree are closed (moving up the hierarchy tree),according to some example embodiments. FIG. 9 includes a first graphicaluser interface 900 at a first time as two different hierarchy trees arebeing displayed, after a node from the second hierarchy tree has beenselected. In particular, after a node 952 from the second hierarchy treeis selected, the node 952 is fading out. The first hierarchy treeincludes two levels. A first level and a second level include nodes914-918 and nodes 920-922, respectively. The first graphical interface900 also include a line 954 positioned between the first hierarchy treeand the second hierarchy tree. The nodes 920-922 are also fading out.FIG. 9 also includes a second graphical user interface 950 at a secondlater time after the selected node from the second hierarchy tree hasbeen selected. The node 952 of the second hierarchy tree and the nodes920-922 of the first hierarchy tree are removed. The line 954 is movingup (removing the second hierarchy tree) and fading out. A new level(that includes nodes 902-912) at the highest level of the firsthierarchy tree is also fading in. The previously highest level (thatincludes nodes 914-918) in the first hierarchy tree is animatingly moveddown in the first hierarchy tree (downward and to the right), FIG. 9includes a third graphical user interface 960 at a third later timeafter the selected node from the second hierarchy tree has beenselected. The line 954 is removed. The nodes 902-912 have completedbeing faded in. Also, nodes (the nodes 902-918) of the first hierarchytree have been animatingly moved upward and to the left (replacing thesecond hierarchy tree). With reference to FIG. 13, the node 1312 of thesecond hierarchy tree is the selected node. Returning to FIG. 8, themethod 800 continues at block 806.

At block 806, the tree module 102 animatingly fades out the selectednode from the second hierarchy tree on the display 110. With referenceto the transition from FIG. 5 back to FIG. 4, the node 452/552 from thesecond hierarchy tree 450/550 is faded out from the second hierarchytree 450/550. With reference to FIG. 9, the node 952 is faded out.

To further illustrate, FIG. 14 is a screen shot of a graphical userinterface of a hierarchy tree having levels being displayed across twodifferent hierarchy trees (after a selected node is selected from thesecond hierarchy tree), according to some example embodiments. A screenshot 1400 shows the first hierarchy tree with N number of levels (Nequaling two in this example). The first hierarchy tree includes a firstlevel 1402 and a second level 1404. A second hierarchy tree is insection 1414 in the screen shot 1400. The second hierarchy tree includesa node 1412 (which is the selected node in the second hierarchy tree).As shown, the node 1412 (the selected node) is fading out from thesecond hierarchy tree. Returning to FIG. 8, the method 800 continues atblock 808.

At block 808, the tree module 102 animatingly fades out nodes at alowest level of the first hierarchy tree on the display 110. Withreference to the transition from FIG. 5 back to FIG. 4, the nodes520-522 are faded out from the first hierarchy tree 500 such that thenodes 520-522 are not present in the first hierarchy tree 400 in FIG. 4.With reference to FIG. 9, the nodes 920-922 are faded out. The method800 continues at block 810.

At block 810, the tree module 102 animatingly moves nodes in the numberof levels remaining in the first hierarchy tree down one level on thedisplay 110. With reference to the transition from FIG. 5 back to FIG.4, the nodes 414-418 are moved down one level (at the level previouslyoccupied by the nodes 520-522 that had been faded out). With referenceto FIG. 9, the nodes 914-918 are animatingly moved down in the firsthierarchy tree (see transition from the first graphical user interface900 to the second graphical user interface 950). With reference to thetransition from FIG. 13 to FIG. 14, the nodes at the level 1304 of FIG.13 are animatingly move down (as shown by the level 1404 of FIG. 14).The method 800 continues at block 812.

At block 812, the tree module 102 animatingly fades in nodes in thelevel that includes the selected node from the second hierarchy treeinto the first hierarchy tree above the number of levels remaining inthe first hierarchy tree on the display 110. With reference to thetransition from FIG. 4 to FIG. 3, the selected node is the node 452 thatis shown fading in as the node 408 in the first hierarchy tree 400. Thenodes 402-412 are the nodes at the level of the selected node (the node408). As shown in FIG. 3, the nodes 302-312 (corresponding to the nodes402-412 of FIG. 4) are faded into the highest level of the firsthierarchy tree 300 above the nodes in the remaining levels of the firsthierarchy tree 300 (the nodes 314-318). With reference to FIG. 9, thenodes 902-912 are faded in to the first hierarchy tree (see transitionfrom the second graphical user interface 950 to the third graphical userinterface 960).

To further illustrate, FIG. 15 is a screen shot of a graphical userinterface of a hierarchy tree having N number of levels (after aselected node is selected from the second hierarchy tree), according tosome example embodiments. A screen shot 1500 shows the first hierarchytree having a first level 1502 and a second level 1504. As shown, thenodes in the first level 1502 have completed being faded in. Also, thenodes in the first level 1502 and the second level 1504 have animatinglymoved upward and to the left (compare to the screen shot 1400 of FIG.14).

Additional animation can occur. For example, if there are no nodesremaining in the second hierarchy tree, the second hierarchy tree cartbe animatingly faded out so that only the first hierarchy tree remainson the display 110. The method 800 is completed.

FIGS. 2 and 8 illustrate different animation operations. In some exampleembodiments, all or some of the animations can be simultaneously inpart. For example, the animating to fade in, fade out or move nodes,forming or collapsing of hierarchy trees can be performed at leastsimultaneously in part relative to each other.

Some example embodiments have particular application where the amount ofdisplay area for the hierarchy tree is limited. FIG. 16 is a graphicaluser interface of an application that provides limited display area fora hierarchy tree, according to some example embodiments. A display 1600includes three different display sections. A data display section 1602can display various types of data (such as documents, computer code,graphics, etc.). The hierarchy trees display section 1604 can displayone or more hierarchy trees as described herein. In some exampleembodiments, a given node on one of the hierarchy trees can beassociated with the data being displayed in the data display section1602. Accordingly, a viewer can cause different data to be displayed inthe data display section 1602, depending on which node is selected. Athird display section can include the menus display section 1606 toprovide pull-down menus, buttons and other types of controls selectableby the user of the application. Therefore, as shown, some exampleembodiments can be used so that a large part of the display is used fordisplaying actual data, while still enabling a viewer to animatinglyview changes in a hierarchy tree across multiple hierarchy trees in alimited display area, according to some example embodiments.

Some example embodiment wherein software performs operations related toperforming multi-tree animation as described herein is now described. Inparticular, FIG. 17 is a computer device that executes software forperforming operations related to performing movement in a hierarchy treeusing multi-tree animation, according to some example embodiments. FIG.17 illustrates a computer device 1700 that may be representative of atleast part of the system 100.

As illustrated in FIG. 17, a computer device 1700 comprises processor(s)1702. The computer device 1700 also includes a memory 1730, a processorbus 1722, and an input/output controller hub (ICH) 1724. Theprocessor(s) 1702, the memory 1730, and the ICH 1742 are coupled to theprocessor bus 1722. The processor(s) 1702 may comprise any suitableprocessor architecture. The computer device 1700 may comprise one, two,three, or more processors, any of which may execute a set ofinstructions in accordance with some example embodiments.

The memory 1730 stores data and/or instructions, and may comprise anysuitable memory, such as a random access memory (RAM). For example, thememory 1730 may be a Static RAM (SRAM), a Synchronous Dynamic RAM(SDRAM), DRAM, a double data rate (DDR) Synchronous Dynamic RAM (SDRAM),etc. A display controller 1704 controls the display of information on adisplay 1706, according to some example embodiments.

The ICH 1724 provides an interface to Input/Output (I/O) devices orperipheral components for the computer device 1700. The ICH 1724 maycomprise any suitable interface controller to provide for any suitablecommunication link to the processor(s) 1702, the memory 1730 and/or toany suitable device or component in communication with the ICH 1724. Forsome example embodiments, the ICH 1724 provides suitable arbitration andbuffering for each interface.

In some example embodiments, the ICH 1724 provides an interface to oneor more suitable Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE)/Advanced TechnologyAttachment (ATA) drive(s) 1708, such as a hard disk drive (HDD). In someexample embodiments, the ICH 1724 also provides an interface to akeyboard 1712, a mouse 1714, one or more suitable devices through ports1716-1718 (such as parallel ports, serial ports. Universal Serial Bus(USB), Firewire ports, etc). In some example embodiments, the ICH 1724also provides a network interface 1720 though which the computer device1700 may communicate with other computers and/or devices.

With reference to the system 100, the memory 1730 and/or one of theIDE/ATA drives 1708 can store the documents, files, etc. In some exampleembodiments, the tree module 102 is a set of instructions executingwithin the processor(s) 1702. Therefore, the tree module 102 can bestored in a machine-readable medium that are a set of instructions(e.g., software) embodying any one, or all, of the methodologiesdescribed herein. For example, the tree module 102 can reside,completely or at least partially, within the memory 1730, theprocessor(s) 1702, one of the IDE/ATA drive(s) 1708, etc.

In the description, numerous specific details such as logicimplementations, opcodes, means to specify operands, resourcepartitioning/sharing/duplication implementations, types andinterrelationships of system components, and logicpartitioning/integration choices are set forth in order to provide amore thorough understanding of the present invention. It will beappreciated, however, by one skilled in the art that some exampleembodiments can be practiced without such specific details. In otherinstances, control structures, gate level circuits and full softwareinstruction sequences have not been shown in detail in order not toobscure example embodiments. Those of ordinary skill in the art, withthe included descriptions will be able to implement appropriatefunctionality without undue experimentation.

References in the specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”,“an example embodiment”, etc., indicate that the embodiment describedmay include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, butevery embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature,structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarilyreferring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature,structure, or characteristic is described in connection with anembodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of oneskilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristicin connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitlydescribed.

Embodiments include features, methods or processes that may be embodiedwithin machine-executable instructions provided by a machine-readablemedium, A machine-readable medium includes any mechanism which provides(i.e., stores and/or transmits) information in a form accessible by amachine (e.g., a computer, a network device, a personal digitalassistant, manufacturing tool, any device with a set of one or moreprocessors, etc.). In some example embodiments, a machine-readablemedium includes volatile and/or non-volatile media (e.g., read onlymemory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media,optical storage media, flash memory devices, etc.), etc.).

Such instructions are utilized to cause a general or special purposeprocessor, programmed with the instructions, to perform methods orprocesses of the embodiments. Alternatively, the features or operationsof embodiments are performed by specific hardware components whichcontain hard-wired logic for performing the operations, or by anycombination of programmed data processing components and specifichardware components. Embodiments include software, data processinghardware, data processing system-implemented methods, and variousprocessing operations, further described herein.

In view of the wide variety of permutations to the embodiments describedherein, this detailed description is intended to be illustrative only,and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention. What isclaimed as the invention, therefore, is all such modifications as maycome within the scope and spirit of the following claims and equivalentsthereto. Therefore, the specification and drawings are to be regarded inan illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method executable by a processor of a computer,the method comprising: displaying, in a first area on a display, nodesin one or more levels of a first hierarchy tree; receiving a userselection of a node of the nodes in the one or more levels of the firsthierarchy tree to display a level below the one or more levels of thefirst hierarchy tree; and in response to receiving the user selection ofthe node: displaying, in a second area on the display different from thefirst area, a parent node of the selected node in a lowest level of asecond hierarchy tree being displayed in the second area; removing, fromthe first area on the display, nodes in a level of the one or morelevels of the first hierarchy tree above the level that includes theselected node; and displaying, in the first area on the display, nodesin the level below the one or more levels of the first hierarchy tree.2. The method of claim 1, the level below the one or more levels of thefirst hierarchy tree comprising a level immediately below the one ormore levels of the first hierarchy tree.
 3. The method of claim 1, thelevel of the one or more levels of the first hierarchy tree above thelevel that includes the selected node comprising a highest level of theone or more levels of the first hierarchy tree.
 4. The method of claim1, the displaying, in the second area on the display, of the parent nodeof the selected node further comprising displaying, in the second areaon the display, nodes of a level of the first hierarchy that includesthe parent node.
 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:displaying, in the second area on the display, nodes in at least oneadditional level of the one or more levels of the first hierarchy treeabove the level that includes the selected node; and removing, from thefirst area on the display, the nodes in the at least one additionallevel of the one or more levels of the first hierarchy tree above thelevel that includes the selected node.
 6. The method of claim 1, whereinthe removing, from the first area on the display, of the nodes in thelevel above the level that includes the selected node is performed atleast simultaneously in part with the displaying, in the second area onthe display, of the parent node of the selected node.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the one or more levels of the first hierarchy treecomprise two levels.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:receiving a second user selection of a different node within a level inthe second hierarchy tree on the display; and in response to receivingthe second user selection of the different node: removing, from thesecond area on the display, the different selected node within the levelin the second hierarchy tree; removing, from the first area on thedisplay, nodes at a lowest level in the first hierarchy tree on thedisplay; and displaying, in the first area on the display, nodes in thelevel that includes the different selected node into a level above thelevels in the first hierarchy tree being displayed in the first area. 9.The method of claim 1, the displaying of the parent node of the selectednode comprising animatedly fading in, into the second area on thedisplay, the parent node of the selected node.
 10. The method of claim1, the removing of the nodes in the level of the one or more levels ofthe first hierarchy tree above the level that includes the selected nodecomprising animatedly fading out, from the first area on the display,the nodes in the level of the one or more levels of the first hierarchytree above the level that includes the selected node.
 11. The method ofclaim 1, the displaying of the nodes in the level below the one or morelevels of the first hierarchy tree comprising animatedly fading in, intothe first area on the display, the nodes in the level below the one ormore levels of the first hierarchy tree.
 12. A non-transitorymachine-readable storage medium including instructions that, whenexecuted by at least one processor of a machine, cause the machine toperform operations comprising: displaying, in a first area on a display,nodes in one or more levels of a first hierarchy tree; receiving a userselection of a node of the nodes in the one or more levels of the firsthierarchy tree to display a level immediately below the one or morelevels of the first hierarchy tree; and in response to receiving theuser selection of the node: displaying, in a second area on the displaydifferent from the first area, a parent node of the selected node in alowest level of a second hierarchy tree being displayed in the secondarea; removing, from the first area on the display, nodes in a level ofthe one or more levels of the first hierarchy tree above the level thatincludes the selected node; and displaying, in the first area on thedisplay, nodes in the level immediately below the one or more levels ofthe first hierarchy tree.
 13. The non-transitory machine-readablestorage medium of claim 12, the operations further comprising: receivinga second user selection of a different node within a level in the secondhierarchy tree on the display; and in response to receiving the seconduser selection of the different node: removing, from the second area onthe display, the different selected node within the level in the secondhierarchy tree; removing, from the first area on the display, nodes at alowest level in the first hierarchy tree on the display; and displaying,in the first area on the display, nodes in the level that includes thedifferent selected node into a level immediately above the levels in thefirst hierarchy tree being displayed in the first area.
 14. A systemcomprising: at least one processor and memory comprising instructionsthat, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system toperform operations comprising: displaying, in a first area on a display,nodes in one or more levels of a first hierarchy tree; receiving a userselection of a node of the nodes in the one or more levels of the firsthierarchy tree to display a level below the one or more levels of thefirst hierarchy tree; and in response to receiving the user selection ofthe node: displaying, in a second area on the display different from thefirst area, a parent node of the selected node in a lowest level of asecond hierarchy tree being displayed in the second area; removing, fromthe first area on the display, nodes in a level of the one or morelevels of the first hierarchy tree above the level that includes theselected node; and displaying, in the first area on the display, nodesin the level below the one or more levels of the first hierarchy tree.15. The system of claim 14, the level below the one or more levels ofthe first hierarchy tree comprising a level immediately below the one ormore levels of the first hierarchy tree.
 16. The system of claim 14, thelevel of the one or more levels of the first hierarchy tree above thelevel that includes the selected node comprising a highest level of theone or more levels of the first hierarchy tree.
 17. The system of claim14, the displaying, in the second area on the display, of the parentnode of the selected node further comprising displaying, in the secondarea on the display, nodes of a level of the first hierarchy thatincludes the parent node.
 18. The system of claim 14, the operationsfurther comprising: receiving a second user selection of a differentnode within a level in the second hierarchy tree on the display; and inresponse to receiving the second user selection of the different node:removing, from the second area on the display, the different selectednode within the level in the second hierarchy tree; removing, from thefirst area on the display, nodes at a lowest level in the firsthierarchy tree on the display; and displaying, in the first area on thedisplay, nodes in the level that includes the different selected nodeinto a level above the levels in the first hierarchy tree beingdisplayed in the first area.